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Testosterone: from initiating change to modulating social organisation in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus)

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Abstract

Testosterone (T) concentrations in many species are sensitive to seasonal changes and to changes in social conditions. However, the effect of the natural or endogenous T increase in the juvenile on their social behaviour is not well understood. In this study, T and behaviour were measured from the pro-social juvenile to the adult stage in semi-feral domestic fowl. During the pro-social phase T levels and the distance chicks maintained between each other, i.e. inter-individual distance (IID) were low. Then, as T increased, a corresponding increase in IID occurred and continued in males until dispersal to individual adult male territories. In the new and initially stable adult social structure, T declined and IID remained high, indicating a new behavioural mechanism was in place. Males first mated as T levels were declining. They were then challenged; then T increased, and then IID increased again. Adult male T levels fluctuate, being low or declining in a socially stable environment and increasing following a challenge, suggesting a regulatory or modulating role for T. The results are consistent with T having an endogenous role: in the juvenile, driving behavioural change towards adulthood, and in adulthood, a modulating role regulating social organisation.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Prof. R.J. Andrew, University of Sussex and Prof. T. Bolger, University College Dublin for comments on various drafts of this paper and Seamus McDonnell for assistance with extractions and assay work. J. P. K. conceived the project, provided facilities for the fowl, made links with the relevant departments, took part in about 40% behavioural observations and wrote the paper with K.M. and F.B. and collected faecal samples with K.M., who cared for birds, and did 60% behavioural observations. K.M. did the graphics and assisted N.H. who did extractions and the radioimmunoassays. F.B. did analysis on T data assisted by K.M. T.J.H. provided valued guidance at all stages of the work. We would wish to thank the editor and eight reviewers for comments and advice that we much appreciate. This research complies with the current laws of this country, and the ethical guidelines for the use of animals in research as outlined by The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

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Author notes

  1. Finian J. Bannon

    Present address: Centre for Clinical and Population Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast, BT12 6BJ, Ireland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ballyrichard House, Arklow, Co, Wicklow, Ireland

    John P. Kent & Kenneth J. Murphy

  2. School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    John P. Kent

  3. School of Biological and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Kenneth J. Murphy & Thomas J. Hayden

  4. School of Mathematical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Finian J. Bannon

  5. School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Niamh M. Hynes

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  1. John P. Kent
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  2. Kenneth J. Murphy
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  3. Finian J. Bannon
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  4. Niamh M. Hynes
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Correspondence to John P. Kent.

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Kent, J.P., Murphy, K.J., Bannon, F.J. et al. Testosterone: from initiating change to modulating social organisation in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). Naturwissenschaften 96, 763–770 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-009-0526-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-009-0526-9

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